“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Arlington Cemetery
by Shannon Pederson
On a recent segment of Jeopardy, the final question was "The number of steps taken by the guard during the walk across the tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery." All three contestants missed it! The answer is 21; it commemorates the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
This is truly an awesome sight to watch. Wayne and I were deeply moved by our visit to Arlington Cemetery where we witnessed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the guard. Here are some facts about what you’d see if you visited this amazing place.
The soldier on duty at the tomb hesitates 21 seconds when they get to the end of the 21 steps. The soldier wears wet gloves to avoid losing the grip on the rifle. The rifle is always carried on the shoulder away from the tomb. After the march across the path in front of the tomb, the soldier executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
The guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. For a person to apply for guard duty, they must meet the following requirements:
On a recent segment of Jeopardy, the final question was "The number of steps taken by the guard during the walk across the tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery." All three contestants missed it! The answer is 21; it commemorates the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
This is truly an awesome sight to watch. Wayne and I were deeply moved by our visit to Arlington Cemetery where we witnessed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the guard. Here are some facts about what you’d see if you visited this amazing place.
The soldier on duty at the tomb hesitates 21 seconds when they get to the end of the 21 steps. The soldier wears wet gloves to avoid losing the grip on the rifle. The rifle is always carried on the shoulder away from the tomb. After the march across the path in front of the tomb, the soldier executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
The guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. For a person to apply for guard duty, they must meet the following requirements:
- Height must be between 5’10” and 6’2”.
- Waist must not exceed 30 inches.
- Must commit 2 years of their life to guard the tomb.
- Required to live in a barracks under the tomb; cannot drink alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
- Cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. If the guard disobeys these rules during their lifetime, they give up the wreath pin.
Their shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off-duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.
Prior to 1996, only men were allowed to serve in the Old Guard, the soldiers that guard the monument. Since that year there have been four female members of the guard.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, D C, our U. S. Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC Evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
God bless and keep them.
Their shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off-duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.
Prior to 1996, only men were allowed to serve in the Old Guard, the soldiers that guard the monument. Since that year there have been four female members of the guard.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, D C, our U. S. Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC Evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
God bless and keep them.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of
God,
rest in peace. Amen. (Eternal Rest Prayer)
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of
God,
rest in peace. Amen. (Eternal Rest Prayer)
“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11